The Aurora University Spartans opened the 2016 portion of their schedule on the road at Wisconsin Lutheran College on Saturday afternoon. AU led for most of the game but had to battle late to hang on to the NACC victory.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 86, Wisconsin Lutheran College 81
LOCATION: Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Recreation Complex
RECORDS: Aurora University 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the NACC; Wisconsin Lutheran College 3-7 overall and 2-4 in the NACC.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
A three-point field goal by AU senior Chris Fritsch gave the Spartans an 8-6 lead with 17:12 to play in the first-half. AU would hold that lead until late in the second-half.
AU led by as many as 10 points twice in the first-half before seeing WLC cut the lead down to one twice late in the half.
The Spartans ended the half on a 7-2 run to lead 44-37.
AU built a 10-point lead once again on a three from Nick Kladis with 14:12 on the clock and a 57-47 score.
AU maintained a 78-72 lead with 3:29 to play but WLC mounted a comeback.
A 9-2 run over the next 1:58 gave WLC an 81-80 lead.
The Spartans closed out the game though on a 6-0 run with six of eight shooting from the free throw line.

FOR THE SPARTANS
Tyler Hall led all scorers with 23 points.
Chris Fritsch had a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Kalmon Stokes had 17 points and seven rebounds.
Nick Kladis had 11 points.
 
FOR THE FOES
Five Warriors scored in double figures.
Collin Kennedy had 16 points.
Jim Marose had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 when they travel to Illinois Institute of Technology. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. in Chicago, Illinois.